While we are still working to gather the complete list of items needed, progress is being made, and we hope local businesses and individuals will join our annual Wish List initiative and adopt a nonprofit.

Some nonprofits have had a few wishes fulfilled, but a majority are still hoping and waiting.

The Wish List, published annually online and in the Citizen Patriot, is a compilation of items needed by those groups who play such a critical role in helping those in need. Items range from notepads and pens to some larger items, such as computers or paper shredders.

We chose to adopt Big Brothers Big Sisters.

While Citizen Patriot staff can write, edit and interview sources, coming up with fundraising ideas was not an easy task. Personally, I had many great ideas like auctioning off our two interns, Justin Hicks and Justin Dacey to the highest bidder; that idea was quickly shot down by one of my editor’s.

“We don’t sell our staff, if we can help it,” Managing Producer Shannon Murphy said laughing.

The interns worried no one could afford them anyway.

Our next idea was to hold a bake sale. Asking a group of reporters and editors to bake is not an easy task.

“I can’t bake,” said Editor Sara Scott, as she threw down some cash instead.

Cops and courts reporter Danielle Salisbury stepped up to the plate and baked cookies, business reporter Tarryl Jackson stayed up all night before the bake sale making chocolate chip brownies and I threw together some chocolate covered pretzels.

But, the “master bakers” of the Citizen Patriot, are not the writers or editors. They work in customer service and sales and really stepped up to the plate with treats like rice pudding, gourmet cupcakes, s’mores bark and an assortment of breads.

We held the sale inside the lobby of One Jackson Square downtown Jackson, Tuesday, Dec. 10, and were overjoyed to learn we raised $370. People in Jackson love their baked goods and were very generous.

When thinking about fulfilling wishes, keep in mind not all items need to be new. A lot can be found while digging through the basement, the attic or garage.

For example, does anyone have a color printer to donate to the Jackson School of the Arts? One is desperately needed, and so far, this wish has been left unfulfilled. The American Red Cross, South Central Michigan Chapter, could use a large paper cutter and some nonprofits simply need volunteers.

The Citizen Patriot is hoping a reader with season tickets to the Detroit Tigers or Lions games would be willing to part with a few and donate them to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Movie tickets and bowling tickets would come in handy, too.

The Michigan Theatre of Jackson was accidentally left off the Wish List that ran in the print edition of the Citizen Patriot, but has been included online.

Besides “goodwill towards humanity,” theater officials asked for a volunteer graphic artist, two “beautiful” office chairs and a “copy machine that does it all.”

None of these wishes have been fulfilled yet. I’m working on the goodwill towards humanity, but it could take some time.

Family Services and Children’s Aid have received new infant car seats and toddler booster seats, but could really use a wall-mounted infant changing table.